Bonaire Reporter - February 24 to March 3,...

Bonaire Reporter - February 24 to March 3, 2006

IN THIS ISSUE: Letters: A Loving Farewell, Buddy Needed 4 Tourist Tax Trauma, Cruise Ships Not Always a Plus, Meaningless Statistic 5 Stitching Project Success 7 Dietitian: Vitamins 8 Youth Tennis Results 8 Bonai News (Obelisks) 9 Barracuda Results 9 Kids Karnaval 2006 10 Hands on for SBO Students 12 Elvis Margarita (Embroidery) 13 Karnaval Schedule 15 Memory of Bonaire (archives, Bòi Antoin 18 WEEKLY FEATURES: Flotsam & Jetsam 2 Dee’s Coral Glimpses 6 Vessel List & Tide Table 9 Classifieds 12 Reporter Masthead 14 Pet of the Week (Arlene) 14 What’s Happening 15 Movieland Film Schedule 15 Cruise Ship Schedule 15 Shopping & Dining Guides 16 Born on Bonaire... (Poppy Rodriguez) 17 Sky Park (Gemini Twins, Castor System ) 19 The Stars Have It 19

O n Tuesday the Bonaire Eco-nomic Platform Foundation

announced a new project, unprece-dented for the island, that will shift the center of Bonaire’s tourism to the north. According to their press release a top hotel chain, whose name is being withheld pending further negotiations, will run a “quality suite-residential ho-tel” that will be partnered with Maas-tricht’s Hoge Hotelschool. The complex will include classrooms for advanced hotel instruction, student residences, and a park with gardens and recrea-

tional facilities. The Maastricht’s Hoge Hotelschool offers bachelors and masters degree courses in hospitality management. On

graduation, students can embark on a career as a manager or consultant with

hospitality and service organizations such as hotels, restaurants, etc.

Originally planned to be located in Lac Bay, the Platform board, following an unfavorable environmental impact study, decided to relocate to a govern-ment provided area in the Colombia Plantation area. As part of the project the road now running past SABADECO will be paved and extended to Rincon.

Construction is planned to start by the end of the year.

Dutch Antilles

Express (DAE) an-ticipates flying jets in place of the turbo-props it now uses on its regional flights and the Cura-çao-St. Maarten route. DAE Manag-ing Director Floris

van Pallandt said. While he could not give an exact date, DAE plans to extend its regional flights, now only to Valen-cia, Venezuela, “as soon as possible.” “For DAE to extend regional flights operations have to be moved to Cura-çao,” said Curaçao’s Minister of Trans-portation, Omayra Leeflang. “They will need more planes, a hangar, pilots, en-gineers, cabin crew. The market for re-gional flight is in Curaçao, not Bon-aire,” she added. Van Pallandt con-firmed that Curaçao Free Zone busi-nesses complained that the ATR and Fokker-50 planes now flying have lim-ited cargo capacity. He said that the ATR planes now undergoing service would be back from maintenance and in service by the end of next month and the more comfortable Fokker-50 re-turned.

KLM Royal

Dutch Airline dropped fares as much as 25% this week. The reduced fares can be for travel be-ginning with the March 26 summer schedule, and apply to KLM flights originating in the Neth-erlands Antilles and Aruba. New fares will be introduced for students, the eld-erly and business class as well as a one-way trip to Amsterdam.

Aside from lower fares, KLM will introduce five new price classes. Each price class has a recognizable name, conditions and price tag: Take Off fare, Economy Flex fare and Full Flex fare in

economy class and World Business Class Holiday Fare in addition to the existing World Business Class.

INSEL Air, a new Curaçao-based

airline led by a former DCA head, that was formed to conduct flights among the ABC islands but has not yet taken off, has requested permission to make international flights as well. It was supposed to begin flying in October, 2005. However, the Air Operators Cer-tificate for its only airplane, a 19-person Embraer Badeirantes, is not complete.

Things may get tougher at next

month’s Round Table Conference that is working towards the new struc-ture for the Antilles. Both houses of the Dutch government say they are willing to come to restructure Antilles debts, not forgive them, only if acceptable em-phasis is given to crucial tasks like maintenance of law and order, effective financial supervision and sound govern-ment. The Dutch Second Chamber of Parliament passed a motion on Friday which will not allow the Dutch Govern-ment to absorb the 5.4 billion guilder debt of the Netherlands Antilles without these “safeguards.”

The Netherlands is a haven for

money laundering, with at least 18.5 billion euros ($21.95 billion), equiva-lent to around 5%, of the Dutch gross domestic product every year, 20 % of which stems from domestic criminal activity, a study said on Friday. The study added that money was most often

(Continued on page 6)

Economic Platform Board members: Sidney Manuel, Richard Duijn, Evert Piar, DJ Methorst and BIDA Director, Raymundo Saleh, announce the hotel school plan.


Who’s Who on The Bonaire Reporter Published weekly. For information about subscriptions, stories or advertising in The Bonaire Reporter, phone (599) 717-8988, 786-6518, fax 717-8988, E-mail to: [email protected] The Bonaire Reporter, George DeSalvo, Publisher. Laura DeSalvo, Editor in Chief. Address: Kaya Gob. Debrot 200-6; Bonaire, Neth. Antilles. Available on-line at: www.bonairereporter.com

Reporters: Jackie Bernabela, Elsmarie Beukenboom, Jack Hork-heimer, Greta Kooistra, Ann Phelan, Angélique Salsbach, Dee Scarr, Valarie Stimpson, Michael Thiessen, Elisabeth Vos Features Editor: Greta Kooistra Translations: Peggy Bakker, Sue Ellen Felix Production: Barbara Lockwood Distribution: Yuchi Molina (Rincon), Elizabeth Silberie (Playa); Housekeeping: Jaidy Rojas Acevedo. Printed by: DeStad Druk-kerij, Curaçao

©2006 The Bonaire Reporter


A LOVING FAREWELL To my friends on Bonaire, The time has come in my life for an-

other adventure. I will be leaving not only Buddy Dive Resort, where I have had the pleasure of working for the last 5 years, but also leaving this beloved island of Bonaire. That is the sad part of my new adventure. My life has taken a turn for the best and I will be moving to Prince of Wales Island in Alaska...YES...I did say Alaska! I have met someone who has made my life complete and have fallen in love. Yes, he does live in Alaska and that is where my new adventure will start.

But Bonaire remains in my heart; it is the place I chose to live because of the Bonairean people - the kindest in the world - and the island - one of the most beautiful in the world. I am not only leaving my job at Buddy Dive but many others who have helped me make my way here: the folks at Rum Run-ners Restaurant, which gave me my very first job on the island; Plaza Re-sort; The Bonaire Motorcycle Club; my family at Capriccio Restaurant, Swiss Chalet, Casablanca, Pasa Bon Pizza, and the one and only Rose Inn in Rincon. This extended family helped me in countless ways, including seeing me through illness and recovery.

Some of you know I am quite the dog owner, and I have been able to find homes for all of my 13 dogs. Thank you, each and every one of my

"families" - new owners. In case any of you are wondering, Sassy, my little “motorcycle dog,” will be going with me (see inset on photo at right) . She can fit under the seat on the plane.

George and Laura of The Bonaire Reporter have been special friends. The Bonaire Reporter has featured me a few times, and my family in the US has been able to keep up with my years here in Bonaire.

Not many people have been able to say that they have lived a life like I have here in Bonaire. That alone makes me a very, very lucky person.

To everyone whom I have shared the incredible experiences with I want to say THANK YOU! To the guests whom I have been so fortunate to meet

and become close friends with and to the beautiful people of Bonaire - be-cause of you my stay here has been a life altering affair. I can only hope that our paths will cross again and that we can maintain contact for many years to come.

My email address will remain the same: [email protected]

Please let us stay in touch. I may not be living on Bonaire, but neither am I "leaving" Bonaire. It abides in my heart, as do my friends and extended family on Bonaire.

Farewell, but not goodbye, "TC"

On Friday March 10, at Buddy Dive during happy hour, 5:30 - 6:30, there will be a small party for TC. All her friends are invited. Drinks are half price and Moogie will play until 8 pm.

Our BIG ADS give you the most “bang for the buck.”

Call for information: 717-8988 785-6125 785-6518 Or email: [email protected]

From NAƒ62

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It All Adds Up Use the Bonaire Reporter to advertise

BUDDY NEEDED Hello, My name is Maria Calvo and I am

on the island doing research for both my PhD and the Marine Park. I am trying to survey the maximum number of dive sites in Bonaire and Klein Bon-aire, focusing on coral, sponges, and fish.

I would like to understand what things are available underwater at each site, trying to understand if divers and dive masters choose sites depending on what is there. For this research, I will be three more months on the is-land (which is not too much for the amount of dive sites here!) and I am looking for buddies willing to help with the research.

Mainly, I need a buddy to help me carry equipment and do the setting up underwater, but it would be very much appreciated if there are also available buddies with fish identification skills or/and underwater photography skills. That would make the research go faster, but it is not a need.

Please contact me at 780-9812 if you are interested in doing research with me and if you have time available to be spent on a normal routine during these three months (e.g. every other day available in the mornings).

Thank you very much!! Maria Calvo

School of Biological Sciences University of East Anglia, UK

TC and Rocky

TC and friends on Bonaire


TOURIST TAX TRAUMA

Dear Editor: When tourists say goodbye to Bonaire, they leave behind quite some tax money. Not only the sales tax at the checkout counter of the supermarket, but also room tax ($8.50 pppn) and tax on the rental car they used ($8 per day). Friends of mine who have come to Bonaire for years and stay a month pay $390 (room) plus $180 (car) and like everybody else, $40 airport tax. Grand total $610. If they had stayed for only two weeks the taxes would still have amounted to $306.

Strictly speaking it is not they who pay the tax to the government but the owner of the accommodations they stay in. There seems to be a problem. According to our government too many of these owners do not turn over the tourist taxes to the Island Tax Col-lector, so it was decided to do some-thing about it.

The Island Council approved an Is-land Ordinance (which up to now has not yet become effective), with the fol-lowing contents. Room and car taxes are completely abolished and replaced by a tax to be paid by everybody when leaving the island, amounting to $75; a kind of super airport tax. It’s not ap-plied to entirely everybody as excep-tions are made for the following cate-gories: island residents and persons

born in the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba.

What are the consequences of this? The people who used to pay $610 would now only pay $150, costing the government $460, and what was $306 would become also $150, loss for the government $156. Other victims are persons who live in the Antilles but were not born there. The specialist, living in Curaçao, but not born there, who is obliging enough to come to Bonaire to see his patients here, will have to pay, when he goes home after a hard day’s work, $75. He will most probably no longer come to Bonaire so that his Bonairean patients will have to consult him in Curaçao, costing them-selves and BZV and SVB handfuls of money. Businessmen who regularly come to Bonaire, belonging to the same category, may close down their branch offices in Bonaire, for fear of going bankrupt. One of the Curaçao specialists comes monthly to Bonaire, bringing his Dutch-born wife as his assistant. When the couple goes home the husband pays his regular NAƒ10 and his wife has to pay $75! This would be just ri-diculous if it were not at the same time extremely discriminatory. Conclusion: Everybody loses. Maybe it would be a good idea if the government checked things a little better. Apart from all the above, it is psycho-logically speaking not a very good idea to charge such a high amount to per-sons when leaving the island.

G.Vellinga

MEANINGLESS STATISTIC

Dear Editor: Statistics such as Aruba presented in

last week’s Bonaire Reporter, saying nearly two-thirds of their cruise ship passengers said they would like to re-turn, are 100% useless. The real statistic is how many actually do return for a longer stay. That number is extremely low.

Anyone who gives this any thought would immediately realize that when asked, most people will say, "Yes, I would like to return." It is simply a matter of politeness to do so. How many times at a restaurant do you hear the waiter asking if the meal was fine? The answer is al-most always “yes,” regardless of the real feelings. Same at a hotel when asked if the customer had a nice time. The answer is almost always “yes.” Being polite is not a statistic for how many people return.

Name withheld

CRUISE SHIPS NOT ALWAYS A PLUS

Dear Editor: You might want to print this to provide balance to your report favorable to cruise

ships: From Halifax Nova Scotia- With double digit growth anticipated for the cruise

ship industry, ports in the Maritimes need to assess the economic, environmental and social impacts of cruise ships, according to a report released today by the Ca-nadian Centre for Policy Alternatives.

Ross Klein, the author of Cruising - Out of Control: The Cruise Industry, The Environment, Workers and the Maritimes, finds that "ports too often see the cruise ship industry as a ‘cash cow,’ with much money to be made with very little cost. The facts are somewhat different - ports often find that the income expectations are overblown and the costs of hosting a cruise ship are understated."

Many of the anticipated economic benefits do not pan out for communities. Cruise lines skim off some of the profit associated with on-shore excursions and charge onshore merchants fees to be included on the "approved vendors" lists. There are also economic costs associated with tens of thousands of passengers passing through port communities.

Download the Complete Report/Study: Cruising - Out of Control: The Cruise Industry, The Environment, Workers, and the Maritimes

Addendum: The cruise ship industry provides an example of “economic enclave”

tourism. Ocean cruise ships carried some 8.7 million international passengers in 1999, more in recent years. On many ships, especially in the Caribbean (the world's most popular cruise destination with 44.5% of cruise passengers), guests are encouraged to spend most of their time and money on board, and opportunities to spend in some ports are closely managed and restricted.

Name withheld

The Bonaire Reporter welcomes letters from readers. Letters must include the writer’s name and telephone number or e-mail address.

Letters without that information will not be published. If a writer wishes to remain anonymous or just use initials we will honor the

request. Letters should not be more than 400 words in length and may be edited at the Editor’s discretion. Send letters or diskettes to The Bonaire Reporter, Kaya Gob. Debrot 200-6, Bonaire; via fax 717-8988 or E-mail: [email protected]


(Flotsam and Jetsam. Continued from page 2) laundered through the real estate or property sector, regular import and ex-port traffic or channeled through enti-ties that could disguise loans as reve-nues, for example.

The

Commis-sioner of Health and Secu-rity of Rotter-dam, Marianne van den Anker, would like to force Antillean teenage mothers, pregnant drug ad-dicts and mentally handicapped women to have an abortion to pre-vent child and sexual abuse. It sparked an outcry in and outside of politics. According to Van den Anker, Antillean teenage mothers’ children run the risk of growing up without love and affection in a violent, neglected atmosphere with physical and sexual abuse.

The foundation that promotes Antil-leans and Aruban affairs in Holland called van den Anker’s statements “dehumanizing.” It is displeased that Antillean girls are likened to drug ad-dicts and the mentally disabled. Other political parties in Rotterdam’s munici-pal government rejected Van den Anker’s idea and distanced themselves from it.

Pedro Atacho, the official named

to form a new Antillean cabinet fol-lowing the recent election, informed the Antillean Governor that three po-litical parties from Curaçao - PAR (5 seats), MAN (3), and PNP (2) - one from Bonaire, the UPB (1), two from St. Maarten - National Alliance (2) - one from Statia - DP Statia (1) - one from Saba - WIPM (1) - are willing to form the new Antillean government. Atacho hopes to give the Governor his final report no later than March 3rd, well ahead of the anticipated schedule. The governing coalition of the island of Curaçaohas also realigned to reflect a political mix similar to the Central Government cabinet.

The Natalie Holloway drama

continues to linger. Last week Joran van der Sloot, once the chief suspect in causing the disappearance of Hollo-way, and his father Paul were handed summons for a US damage suit when they arrived in New York for a televi-sion interview with ABC. The New York suit was filed by Natalee’s par-ents, Betty Twitty and David Hollo-way. They referred to Van der Sloot as “a predator who purposely and mali-ciously neglected the rights” of their daughter. It accuses him of holding her against her will with the help of others and sexually abusing her. The father was summoned because he allowed his son to “drink, gamble and freely go after victims.” The suit does not pre-vent the van der Sloots from leaving the US.

Curaçao officials announced that

they will be holding their first annual

Curaçao Dive Festival from May 20 to 27. Partici-pation is free. This year Bonaire abandoned the "dive festival" format it originated in the 90s and re-placed it with the Dive Into Adven-ture Festival that will run from June 17 to 24 . The Bonaire festival will in-clude many other island activities in addition to diving.

Event organizers have announced

that the 2nd Annual Pro Kids Wind-surfing Worlds will be held in Lac Bay August 3-7. Qualifier events for kids will be held during May and July internationally. The finals will be held in Bonaire when it is expected that kids from the UK, France, Italy Germany and more countries will compete for the title of Pro Kid. Starboard Boards is once again sponsoring this event. This second contest is expected to eclipse last year's great success.

Concurrent with this announce-ment was the cancellation of the King of the Caribbean Freestyle competition, provisionally slated for April 6-9 which had been held for the last three years.

It is hoped that all support and spon-sors of KOTCaribbean recognize the youth and our sport and transfer spon-sorship to the Pro Kids Worlds.

A new professional freestyle event is in the works for 2007 which will blow away the windsurf world. Keep watch-ing The Reporter for news and up-dates. Contact Elvis Martinus at 717-2288 or Ann Phelan at [email protected] for spon-sor or event details. Ann Phelan

Prominent Curaçao biologists, Dolfi Debrot and Eric Newton, re-cently issued a warning about the spread of Neem trees. Elsmarie Beu-kenboom of STINAPA observed that the tree is spreading itself in the coun-tryside. The Neem tree comes from India and was introduced in Bonaire gardens because it is fast growing, doesn’t need much water, is immune to

most diseases and pests and is decora-tive. In parts of India the tree is con-sidered holy and is called a wonder tree because of its medicinal qualities. Tea brewed from the leaves counters some diseases. Birds spread the seeds of the tree which quickly take root. They might successfully compete with the native trees like the indju, the pal’i kui, mahogany, the wayaka and different kinds of cactus. Bonaire's sensitive en-vironment may become unbalanced without great care being observed to limit the Neem population.

A number of large fish species are fast disappearing from the wa-ters around the ABC islands. That’s the conclusion of Natascha Leenstra of the Raboud University in Nijmegen, who with the help of local officials monitored the catch of the island’s pro-fessional fishermen for six months. Fish such as the Nassau Grouper and King Mackerel are now rare.

Around the same time fish species

were being reported as dwindling an expedition discovered new species of

fish and seaweed on the Antilles Saba Bank. The Bank forms the world’s third-largest atoll, entirely submerged, and has some of the richest diversity of marine life found in the Caribbean, ac-cording to scientists who recently ex-plored the area. Among the apparent new fish species found were two types of gobi, while the total number of fish species recorded reached 200, com-pared to fewer than 50 before the expe-dition.

The unprecedented richness of ma-rine life and vulnerable status of the atoll’s coral beds make Saba Bank a prime candidate for designation as a Particularly Sensitive Sea Area (PSSA) under the International Maritime Or-ganization (IMO). The Bonaire-based Dutch Caribbean Nature Alliance (DCNA), an umbrella group represent-ing the six Dutch Caribbean islands, also calls for PSSA status for the Saba Bank atoll.

(Continued on page 7)

Saba coral DCNA photo

A hemispherical coral head three feet across is 200 to 300 years old!

(a bit of information about corals presented each week by naturalist Dee Scarr)

Continued on page 7

Marianne van den Anker


(Flotsam and Jetsam. Continued from page 6)

Last week we reported that Bon-aire will soon have a “butterfly farm.” This week it was reported that the Butterfly Foundation in Curaçao is working on its own garden at the Parke Tropikal Zoo. Initiator Monique Anderson took a year and a half to study the topic all over the world.

Caribbean Gas Training and Bon-aire Dive & Adventure announces the first DIR (Do It Right!) Fundamen-tals course ever to be held in the southern Caribbean from March 2 to 5 by GUE (Global Underwater Ex-plorers - the most formidable and strin-gent dive certification agency in exis-tence). Instructor Dan McKay from Ontario, Canada, will be on Bonaire to elevate the diving skills, knowledge, attitude and team spirit of three Bo-nairean candidates who wish to pro-gress in the art and craft of scuba div-ing. Caribbean Gas Training went to great lengths to accommodate the equipment needs for this class, vastly augmenting its existing stock. Bonaire Dive & Adventure will provide shore access and other amenities. For those interested in the “Doing It Right” phi-losophy there will be an informal cele-bratory event at the bar of Den Laman Restaurant on the evening of the 5th, with CGT staff and course participants present.

SELIBON trash pickups returned to normal last week following the repair of two of its three compactor trucks. SELIBON, Bonaire’s waste management company, remains one of Bonaire's most efficient operations.

Bonaire’s hotel school restau-rant, Chez Nous, is again open for luncheon and dinner. If you enjoy good food and a pleasant dining ex-perience visit them. Some of the stu-dents studied at a cooking school in Italy where they learned new skills. Menus change constantly so the stu-dents can try out new recipes.

The restaurant is open for a three-course lunch on Fridays, starting at 12:30 pm sharp. It’s NAƒ17,50. Four-course dinners are on Tuesday, starting at 6 pm sharp, NAƒ25. On certain Mondays the higher level, more ex-perienced students cook, and a four-course dinner and a cocktail is NAƒ27,50. Additional beverages, alco-holic and non-alcoholic, are available and sold separately. The place can be very popular so call at least the day before if not sooner. Telephone 717-8120 and ask for “Chez Nous.”

� G./L. D.

G rass roots projects that help people are usually the most effective. Bon-aire’s Stitching (Foundation) Project for teens is a prime example. Run

by Mick Schmit with two Bonairean leaders these youngsters learn skills that build self-esteem and confidence.

Currently a group of the teens are involved in the Junior Marine Park Diver Training program that began January 9th. Thanks to the Divi Flamingo resort that is providing the necessary gear and facilities they are ready for their ex-ams in snorkeling seamanship and boat handling. They’ve already completed swimming and social skill training. SCUBA dive training comes next.

If you want to help this no-nonsense program with a proven successful track record contact: Stichting Project at the North Saliña Community Center, 786-6816, Email [email protected]. � G.D.

Gaby Mercera, the percus-sionist and one of the pioneers of Bonairean jazz, was again invited to the May jazz festival in St. Lu-cia. He will be accompanied by the Freewinds Band, Al Green, Seal and Poncho Sanchez on the main stage. Gaby works for SKAL (Sekshon di Kultura, Arte i Literatura), gives kwarta lessons at elementary schools and shows how to make music with everyday objects. In the afternoon and evenings he teaches drums at his Deco music school.

Gaby with his son

Butterfly Garden in Curaçao


V itamins are micro nutrients that are required in small amounts to

maintain life. Vitamins are called “essential” because most of them cannot be made by the human body but obtained from foods or supplements. Unlike protein, fat and carbohydrate (the macro nutrients), which are the main ingredients of all foods, vitamins occur in much smaller amounts in food. They’re important to many vital func-tions in the body, like growth, maintenance and recovery from illness. Two Groups

Vitamins are divided into two groups: fat-soluble and water-soluble. The fat-soluble vitamins are A, D, E and K. They dissolve in fat and are transported by fat. They are found in fatty foods, such as dairy foods, fat and oils and the fat-containing parts of grains and vegetables.

Water-soluble vitamins dissolve in water-based fluids. These include the eight B-vitamins, B1, B2, B3, B12, B11, B8, B5, and Vitamin C. Water-soluble vitamins are more common in fruits, vegetables and grains. Because these vitamins dissolve in water, care must be used during food prepa-ration to keep the vitamins from dissolving into cooking water. For example, vegeta-bles lose a lot of their water-soluble vita-mins when cooked improperly in too much water. Steaming or boiling vegetables prop-erly in just a small amount of water helps keep the vitamins intact.

Vitamin C, also called ascorbic acid. Works as a powerful antioxidant, aids in the absorption of iron, is critical in fighting off infections and aids in wound healing. Rich sources are: vegetables and fruits The recommended amount per day: 80 mg

Vitamin B1, also called thiamin. Helps in the metabolism of carbohydrates for energy and proper transmission of nerve signals. Rich sources are: whole and enriched grain products, sunflower seeds, vegetables (legumes), potato, luncheon (meat) Recommended amount per day: 1.1mg

Vitamin B2, also called riboflavin. Necessary in the release of energy from food, healthy skin Sources are: dairy products, eggs, green leafy vegetables, (luncheon) meat Recommended daily amount: 1.1 mg Vitamin B3, also called Niacin.

Necessary in the release of energy from food. Also required for proper metabolism and brain function Sources are: eggs, whole grain products, fish (tuna), potato, vegetables, (luncheon) meat Recommended daily amount: 13 mg

Vitamin B5, also called pantothenic acid. Necessary in the release of energy from food. Sources are: eggs, whole grain cereals, vegetables (legumes, broccoli, avocados), fruits, diary products, (luncheon) meat Recommended daily amount: 5 mg

Vitamin B6, also called pyridoxine. Needed for proper protein metabolism. Necessary for normal growth, proper brain and immune function, synthesis of red blood cells. Sources are: potato, bread, diary, beans, walnuts, vegetables, luncheon (meat) Recommended dally amount: 1.5 mg

Vitamin B8, also called biotin. Necessary to release of energy from food. Sources are: soybeans, eggs, fortified ce-real, nuts, liver. Recommended daily amount: unknown

Vitamin B11, also called folic acid. Important in the metabolism of protein. Necessary in the production of red blood cells. Reduces significantly the risk of neu-ral tube defects (birth defect of the spine) Sources are: green leafy vegetables (spinach, asparagus), fruits, bread, diary, (luncheon) meat, beans, fortified cereals. Recommended daily amount: 300 mg

Vitamin B12, also called cobalamin. Important in metabolism, production of red blood cells and proper nerve function. Sources are: (luncheon) meat, egg, fish, diary, fortified soy-milk, fortified tofu, for-tified cereals Recommended daily amount: 2.8 mg Vitamin D, also called cholecalciferol.

Essential for the absorption of calcium: maintenance of bone and teeth strength. Sources are: margarine, halvarine, fatty fish, (luncheon) meat, eggs, milk, fortified soy milk, fortified cereals. Recommended dally amount: 2.5 mg Vitamin D can also be made by the body when the skin is exposed to sunlight.

Vitamin E, also called tocoferol. A powerful anti-oxidant. Protects body cells. Sources are: vegetable oil, nuts, vegetables Recommended daily amount: 9.3 mg

Vitamin K, also called fylochinon Essential for proper blood clotting and plays a role in normal bone calcification Sources are: green vegetables (spinach, broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, lettuce, fortified cereals, fruits, diary prod-ucts, vegetable oil. Recommended dally amount: 90 mg

Bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract also provides the body with vitamin K.

Vitamin A, also called retinol (comes from animal sources). Beta-carotene (precursor to Vitamin A, which comes from plant sources) Powerful antioxidant which helps the body fight free radicals damage. It is essential for normal vision, reproduction, growth, im-mune system, healthy skin. Sources are: margarine, halvarine, (luncheon) meat, eggs, whole milk prod-ucts, fish liver oil, pumpkin, vegetables and fruits Recommended daily amount: 800 mg The maximum safe amount to use: 3000 mg as retained in a day.

In my next article I will continue with the minerals. � Angélique Salsbach, Dietitian

Angélique Salsbach, a dietitian with Bonaire’s Department of Health and Hygiene, has a radio program every other Tuesday 9 to 9:30 on Bon FM. Her patients have successfully won the “Battle of the Bulge” and become healthier. Write her at [email protected] or call her at the Dept. of Health Care 717-3737

L ast week the second round of youth tennis ladder was

held at the Harbour Village courts. Youngsters from five years of age competed under the direction of Coach Elisabeth Vos. The matches were well attended by friends and parents. Here are the results: Saturday: A- Gino Meeuwsen beat Kevin Abdul 4-1;4-0, Paulo Allee beat Thammy Albertsz 4-3;4-1 B- Arnd Chirino beat Nikita van Ooijen 4-3;4-1, Philip Winkel beat Boy Roozendal 4-3;4-1 C1- Paola Valerio beat Alexander Hart 6-3, Kevin Djkhof beat Richandro 6-3 C2- Nigel Tromp beat Zaira Groenendal 6-3, Jordan Coffie beat Marijn van Erp 6-4 D- Sucarla Ellis beat Josephine Marshall 4-0; Max Maartense beat Constantijn Bottrop 4-3 Sunday: A- Gino Meeuwsen won, beating beat Paulo Allee 4-3;4-1 B Philip Winkel, in a fierce match, beat Arnd Chirino 4-0;4-1 C1 Paola Valerio once more became champion and beat Kevin Dijkhof 6-4 C2 Nigel Tromp beat Jordan Coffie 6-3 D Sucarla Ellis beat Max Maartense 4-2 In the final standings Yannick Finies was first, Christopher Pourier second and Nathan Finies third.

The next matches will be held on March 11 and 12. For more information call Elisabeth Vos at 717-6907 or 756-5225. Elisabeth Vos


Alter Ego Angie Attitude Augustin Banana Lady Blue Moon Blur Thunder Bright Sea Camissa, Chan Is. Carlsea Colonel’s Lady Decibelle Delphinus Destiny Dutchess Endorphin Flying Cloud, USA Freestyle Galandriel Goril Two Guaicamar I, Ven. Honalee

It’s Good Keley Kika Manta Maggi Makani Natural Selection Ocean Breeze Okeanis Paleochora Prospera Reality Samba Santa Maria Sandpiper, USA Savoir Vivere Scintella Second Lady Sirius Summer Breeze Spart I Vento Stella Sylvia K Ta B Ti Amo

Turn One Ulu Ulu, USA Umilk Unicorn, Norway Valhalla Valtair Varedhuni, Ger. Yanti Paratzi Zahi, Malta Zapphire

KRALENDIJK TIDES (Heights in feet, FT) Remember: Winds and weather can further influence the local tides

DATE TIME HEIGHT COEF

2-24 0:07 1.0FT. 9:58 2.1FT. 18:56 0.8FT. 63 2-25 1:16 1.0FT. 10:43 2.1FT. 19:28 0.8FT. 23:58 1.0FT. 75 2-26 0:05 1.1FT. 3:06 1.0FT. 11:35 2.0FT. 19:54 0.9FT. 87 2-27 0:52 1.2FT. 4:25 1.1FT. 12:21 1.9FT. 20:17 1.0FT. 96

2-28 1:34 1.3FT. 5:57 1.1FT. 13:19 1.7FT. 20:39 1.1FT. 102 3-01 2:23 1.4FT. 7:46 1.1FT. 14:16 1.6FT. 20:55 1.1FT. 103 3-02 3:23 1.5FT. 10:08 1.1FT. 15:39 1.4FT. 20:55 1.2FT. 100 3-03 4:18 1.6FT. 12:22 1.1FT. 17:52 1.3FT. 20:06 1.2FT. 93

I n the local SGB high school there is a special group of students who

work on science projects such as archae-ology, cultural anthropology and biol-ogy. For the last two years, under the direction of archeologist Dr. Jay Haviser, they’ve completed ambitious projects like classifying artifacts found under-ground in the government buildings area in Playa and setting up and opening a museum at Ft. Oranje. They even assem-bled the whale skeleton which now re-sides in Washington Slagbaai Park. Re-cently they’ve been studying coral reefs with Marine Biologist Caren Eckrich and will soon deliver a research paper.

The current group of 10 students is now researching the history of the old obelisks in the southern part of the island which are in need of reconstruction and repainting. The group is led by Ray-mundo Saleh, Bonaire’s first Antillean Lt. Governor and a great historian of the

island. Each obelisk was painted a particu-

lar color to relate to the salt pan be-hind it: red, white, blue or orange. They were set up to guide ships com-ing in to load salt. As a ship ap-proached the island someone from the salt works would raise a colored flag, meaning that’s the color of the obelisk where the ship would have to head for and anchor, that site being where the salt was to be loaded. A lighter was set up from shore to deliver the salt to the ship. The men gathered the salt from the ponds, and the women, with the salt in baskets on their heads, would deliver the

salt to the lighter which was drawn back and forth from the shore to the ship, in-numerable times.

Recently the Bonai group toured the areas where the obelisks are with their new instructor, Saleh, who explained some of the history of the obelisks. After researching the project the students will

issue a report that will help explain the history. A plaque will be placed on each of the obelisks, describing their historical function. There is a plan for the restora-tion of the obelisks, as well as recon-struction of the white one which was destroyed by the waves from Hurricane Lenny.

�Jackie Bernabela/ L.D. Photos by Jackie Bernabela

T he Bonaire Barracudas Swim Team sent six swimmers to the

5th Curaçao Open Swim Meet on Sat-urday, February 11.

Samson Evertsz (Boys 8 – 10)

swam an “A” time in 100 meter free-style, qualifying him for participation in 200 meter and 400 meter freestyle events at future competitions this sea-son. Asdrubal Marcano (Boys 9 – 10)

swam an “A” time in 50 meter back-stroke, making him the third Barra-cuda swimmer this season to achieve this time goal in one or more events. An “A” time is the fastest time cate-gory recognized in the Netherlands Antilles and indicates the swimmer has met or surpassed a specified time standard for a particular stroke and distance. �

Story and photo by Valarie Stimpson

Boys 8 & Under Event Time Place

Marcano, Luis 50 meter breaststroke 1:07.79 8th

50 meter freestyle 0:49.05 7th

Boys 9 -10 Event Time Place

De Lima, Alejandro 50 meter backstroke 0:57.95 6th

50 meter freestyle 0:49.05 7th

Evertsz, Samson 100 meter freestyle 1:27.19 A 2nd

100 meter backstroke 1:38.55 4th

Marcano, Asdrubal 100 meter freestyle 1:40.36 11th

50 meter backstroke 0:41.69 A 2nd

Wagemakers, Olivier 100 meter freestyle 1:39.19 10th

50 meter breaststroke 0:59.31 6th

Girls 11 - 12 Event Time Place

Wagemakers, Rooske 100 meter freestyle 1:34.98 14th

50 meter backstroke 0:55.26 13th

Barracudas last year for the dedication of the club’s name.

Results:

This obelisk was blue

The spot to build the white obelisk

Raymundo Saleh points out a detail to the students


T his year’s Youth Parade for Karnaval 2006 was

outstanding in terms of color and organization.

Seven groups and one indi-vidual entry formed Sunday’s parade which began at 3 pm at the stadium in Kralendijk. Rin-con held a similar parade a day earlier.

The marchers we re most en-thusiastic and the music had the large crowd lining both sides of the parade route sway-ing with the beat. Some truck breakdowns slowed the march but only added to the action.

Be sure to be on hand to watch, or march, in next week-end’s Grand Karnaval Parades in Rincon and Kralendijk.

Karanval Queen: Sisi Clarenda


Even the tow trucks needed a drink.


JANART GALLERY Kaya Gloria 7, Bonaire Local Art, Art Supplies, Framing, and Art Classes. Open Tu-We-Th & Sat 10 am- 5 pm Friday 1- 7 pm; or phone 717-5246 for appt. ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄ BONAIRENET The leading consumer and business in-formation source on Bonaire. Telephone (599) 717-7160. For on-line yellow pages directory information go to http://www.yellowpagesbonaire.com ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄ CAPT. DON’S ISLAND GROWER Trees and plants, Bonaire grown. 8000m2 nursery. Specializing in garden/septic pumps and irrigation. Kaminda La-goen 103, Island Growers NV (Capt. Don and Janet). Phone: 786-0956 ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄

Bonaire Images Elegant greeting cards and beautiful boxed

note cards are now available at Chat-N-Browse next to Lover’s Ice Cream and

Sand Dollar Grocery. Photography by Shelly Craig

www.bonaireimages.com ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄ LUNCH TO GO Starting from NAƒ5 per meal. Call CHINA NOBO 717-8981 ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄ SALT TREASURES BONAIRE 100% natural body salts "Scrub Me" 100% natural Bath Salts available at Chat-n-Browse, KonTiki and Jewel of Bonaire or call 786-6416 for more information. ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄

JELLASTONE PETPARK Pet boarding / Dierenpension Day and night care. phone: 786-4651 www.bonairenet.com/jellastone/

▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄

. MOVING INTO A NEW HOUSE? Make it more livable from the start.

FENG SHUI CONSULTATIONS Also interior or exterior design advice, clearings, blessings, energy, healing, China-trained. Experienced. Inexpensive. Call Donna at 785-9332. ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄

Windsock Apartments Since January we have a new telephone no. 717-4266 and new cell: 780-9760. Our email address is: [email protected] ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄

For Sale FOR SALE Hoogslaper (raised bed)

van hout Naƒ195,- Tel: 717 – 4884, Cell: 786 - 2206 ────── For Sale: Various Delftware porcelain

articles and antiques. Call Ma at 717-3726. ────── A well-designed, fast-sailing 4-meter

fiberglass centerboard sloop. Needs re-painting. Naƒ850. Also a collapsible “Banana” dinghy and two old Avons. Email Mac at [email protected] or write to PO Box298, Kralendijk. ────── 1990 ISUZU TROOPER 5-DOOR

AUTO Many new parts including, battery, tires, shocks, service etc. Drives very well, genuine reason for sale NAf 5.250 Tel: 786-8648 ────── Mitsubishi Gallant, Automatic shift, 4

door- 11 years old, 4 new tires, new bat-tery and starter- new license tag, NAƒ5000. tel. 717-2971 ────── 11' Caribe hard bottom inflatable,

Home-exchange in the Netherlands. We are a family of 6 or 7. We offer a big house (11 rooms) in the center of The Netherlands (Utrecht) plus cars (seats 7 and 4). We are looking for a comfortable house (+ car) on Bonaire. e-mail: [email protected]

──────

The Bonaire Reporter is looking for a Partner or

Managing Editor

Join us to “Publish in Paradise.” Working partner with journalism writing/editing skills, business sense and energy desired. Most important: Must Love Bonaire! Call The Reporter at 717-8988, 786-6518. Email qualifications to: [email protected] ──────

Wanted: Part Time Office Helper - 25 hours a week minimum– computer literate (Microsoft Excel, Word, email), English-Dutch-Papiamentu-Spanish desired. Must be a “take charge” person. Call Liz at Golden Reef Inn, 717-5759

▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄

Boats for

Sale For Sale - Cabo Rico 38 Yacht 1989, Excellent offshore cruiser. One-owner, little used, only 800 engine hours, many sails, many spares, new s-s rigging. In-cludes Avon R2.8 inflatable and Nissan outboard. Luxu-rious interior. Bristol condi-tion. Hauled out on Bonaire $109,000. Phone/fax (599) 717-5038. Email to [email protected] ────── Why import a sail boat when you can own a fast Regatta winner built right here? Classic 21’ Bonaire Sail Fishing boat recently refurbished is for sale for NAƒ14,000 ($8,000) Call George 786-6125/717-8988. ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄

Free Free to good home 100 33 1/3 classical re-cords. 717-3566 ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄

good condition, trailer included, 25 hp. Yamaha. NAƒ3600. On island 02/21-03/08. E-mail [email protected]. ────── DIVE TANKS -Carib Inn just received a

limited number of new tanks for sale. These are 80 and 63 cubic feet in size. Already half have sold, so if you need a new tank contact the Carib Inn at 717-8819 as soon as possible. ────── FOR SALE: 4 burner large propane

stove $200; Split Unit Air Co 12,000BTU $225; HP Scanner $50. (pick up anytime); Lamp $15 (can be picked up at anytime); Pot and pans and dishes all of them $25 ([pick up anytime); Corner tables with shelves 2 on roll-ers $25 each (can be picked up at any-time); Cloth clothes closet $20 (pick up anytime); Wooden clothes closet with 3 drawers $50 (pick up anytime); Clothes rack for hanging wet clothes $15; Call after 3 pm Sun-Wed; anytime Thur-Sat 786-7072 ────── For sale: Ikelite Underwater Strobe

Kit. Substrobe DS-50 (TTL) for Digital & Film Cameras, Remote TTT Slave Sensor for DS Substrobes, and Arm II System. Like new, in the original box. Best offer. Call 717-4593, after 3 pm. ──────

For Sale: Ultra Classic Yoga Mats. Color: Black Price: NAƒ60. Call 786-6416 ────── LADA NIVA (jeep) for sale 1991-4X4 drive 1.6 Cyl. 95.000km NAƒ5.400 717-2844 or 786-2844 ▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄

Property FOR RENT: 2 bedroom apartment in

Hato, rent Nafl. 800,- including cable TV. For more information call: Amanda at Har-bourtown Real Estate 717 – 5539

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Wanted

RECORDER (BLOCKFLOTE) Inter-

ested in playing with us on Bonaire, May 13 - June 10? email [email protected] Corky & Sy Halberg ────── WANTED: Small kayak....(no inflat-

ables) in any condition. 717-6862/ 791-6003 ──────

Bonaire Reporter Classifieds— They are still free

Got something to buy or sell?

REACH MORE READERS than any other WEEKLY NEWSPAPER by advertising in THE BONAIRE REPORTER

Non-Commercial Classified Ads (up to 4 lines/ 20± words):

FREE FREE FREE FREE

Commercial Ads only NAƒ0.70 per word, per week. Free adds run for 2 weeks.

Call or fax 717-8988 or email [email protected]

S tudents from the highest

level, SBO, in the Hotel Curriculum, spent an interest-ing afternoon at Mona Lisa Restau-rant this week, learning from Mona Lisa co-owner Douwe Dooper how to properly draw a glass of draft beer, Dutch style (with two fingers of foam, not an easy task!) The NAƒ300 keg of beer was graciously sponsored by Bon-aire Partners.

SBO (the most advanced vocational level at the SGB high school) teacher Kees Lehman brings his students to places like the Mona Lisa, to learn things they can’t just get at school.

The six stu-dents are now complementing their school time with four days a week “on the job” training in local eateries. Wendy Here-dia works at Salsa; Isidro Statie at City Café; Sindy Selberie at Cac-tus Blue; Jhe-ison Jaquez Mueses at Rum Runners; Kel-vin Ventura at Donna & Georgio’s; and Ludwiska Bernabela at the Old Inn. The SBO program is key to providing the training needed for young Bonaireans to enter the local job market with the skills necessary for higher level employment. Thanks go to the res-taurants who assist with this program and hire the students. It’s a win-win situation.

FYI: a keg of beer contains 30 liters; five glasses in a liter. � L.D.

At the Mona Lisa Restaurant SBO students learn how to draw draft beer from restaurant owner Douwe Dooper (r) Teacher Kees Lehman (l), Douwe Dooper (r) with the students


C esMar is another

successful home-town (Bonairean) company, run by a hometown (Bonairean) guy, Elvis Margarita. As one customer we met said, after working with El-vis, “He’s creative and he’s always willing to accom-modate the cus-tomer!” Another customer who had uniforms personal-ized for her restau-rant employees says, “He does good work and his prices are reasonable.”

Since 2000 Margarita’s company, CesMar, has been providing personal-ized uniforms for elementary schools, Telbo, SELIBON,Cargill and many more. “It started out as a hobby,” says Margarita, who spent most of his working years either in the government tax office or with the SVB government insurance, in Bonaire, St. Martin and Curaçao. “In 1999,” he re-calls, “I quit SVB in Curaçao and came back to Bonaire. Together with (well known photographer) Herbert Cesilia,

whom I knew for years, we started CesMar (Ces for Cesilia, Mar for Mar-garita). Herbert retired last November, and now I’m running the company.”

With an awesome (see photo) ma-chine they started out doing embroi-dery for names and logos. Business picked up and they bought another machine.

“Eventually,” Elvis says, “after we got the SGB contract we knew we had to do more than embroidery for that many uniforms so we added silk screening last year.” Now, with four employees, they are doing heat press as well. The

company also employs SGB high school students to help with the computer work of transferring and creating logos and designs.

CesMar puts out a quality prod-uct. Just recently the Maduro and Curiel’s Bank presented each of the press corps of Bonaire with a hand-some dark blue shirt, embroidered with the name of the press office and a press cap with the MCB logo. The shirts, caps and other items are from top brands from the US - like Hanes, Outer Banks or other well known brands. Their industrial wear comes from Dickies – coveralls, shoes, belts, work pants. “I’ve visited all the companies we deal with,” Elvis says proudly.

What does he enjoy the most? “It’s when the customer is happy and comes back satisfied. My main goal is to serve Bonaire with this business so people here don’t have to go abroad. Often you may not get the right prod-uct and it’s a problem, but here – on Bonaire - you’re sure of what you get.”

You may bring in a photo or a logo and they can transfer it to a shirt, a cap, a mug, whatever. Or you may bring in your own shirts or towels, bags or even baby clothes for monogramming and personalizing. And the turnaround time is measured in days, not weeks or months.

Stop by and see their operation. It’s something for Bonaire to be proud of. CesMar is located at the old SELIBON

office, Kaya Industria #25 across from Warehouse Bonaire. Or call 717-3983 or 786-4422. �L.D.

Elvis (r) with Screen Print Manager Jose Arias

Natalia Sousa operates one of the embroidery machines


S he’s alert! She’s adorable! She just quivers in anticipation when

she sees someone! That’s “Arlene,” our pet of the week, whose fur is so long that it stands out all around her like a halo! She epitomizes the word, “social.” She just can’t be friendly enough. “She’s just a ‘purr machine,’” said one of the staff, “and she loves to be petted.” Arlene is three months old and is superbly healthy, having been tested for feline leukemia, had her worming and other tests and shots. When she’s old enough she’ll be sterilized. And all that is included in the cat adoption fee of only NAƒ75. Why not stop by the Bonaire Animal Shelter on the Lagoen Road and see for yourself the most healthy and social pets on the island, all up for adoption. They’re open Monday through Friday, 10 am to 2 pm, Saturdays until 1. Tel. 717-4989.

Education is one of the primary aims of the Shelter, and they’ve

been hosts often to school age children who have a wonderful time with the pets, learning in a fun way how to treat animals and what they need from people. Often these groups are in conjunction with the Conservation Education Officer and Project Coordinator, Kri-santa Martes of STINAPA. The children’s visits are fun for every-one, as the pets all enjoy being on display and getting a lot of atten-tion.

�L.D.

“Arlene”

At: Chat’n’browse, Sand Dollar Grocery, Valerie’s Airport Shop, Capt. Don’s Habitat, Carib Inn, TCB


THIS WEEK Karneval—See Schedule upper right Now until February 28—Art Exhibit by Ronald Verhoeven at Kas di Arte. Mon to Fri 10am to noon, 2pm to 5. Opening hours have been extended to the weekends, from 5 to 9 pm Now until March 23—Brigette Kley Driftwood and Cloth Art at Cinnamon Art Gallery, Monday-Friday 9-12, 2-5, Kaya APLBrion #1 Wednesday, March 1—International Fishing Tournament Wednesday, March 1- Ash Wednesday -Wednesday, March 1 - Little and Senior League Season starts Saturday, March 4– Rincon Big First Saturday of the Month Marshe, a real island event with music, informational dis-cussions bou di ramada (on the porch). Stands selling drinks, local foods, crafts, plants, more. In the heart of Rincon, 6 am to 2 pm Arts and Crafts Markets at Wilhelmina Park on Cruise Ship visiting days, starting around 10 am to early afternoon. See Cruise Ship Schedule above.

REGULAR EVENTS Monday-Saturday – Happy Hour 5 to 7 pm, Cactus Blue Saturday Rincon Marshé opens at 6 am - 2 pm. Enjoy a Bonairean breakfast while you shop: fresh fruits and vegetables, gifts, local sweets and snacks, arts and handi-crafts, candles, incense, drinks and music. www.infobonaire.com/rincon Saturday—Mountain Bike Ride— Every-one welcome. It’s free. Bring a bike and your own water. Fitness trainer Miguel Angel Brito leads the pack. Telephone him at 785-0767 for more information. Saturday -Wine Tasting at AWC’s ware-house, 6 to 8 pm, Kaya Industria #23. Great wines - NAƒ2,50 a glass. Saturday –All You Can Eat BBQ at Divi Flamingo with live music, 6 to 9 pm, NAƒ26,50. Call for reservations 717-8285 ext. 444 . Sunday -Live music 6 to 9 pm while enjoy-ing a great dinner in colorful tropical ambi-ance at the Chibi Chibi Restaurant & Bar. Open daily 5 to 10 pm, Divi Fla-mingo

Monday – Two for One Appetizers with Entrees, Cactus Blue Monday -Soldachi Tour of Rincon, the heart of Bonaire, 9 am-noon. $20-Call Maria 717-6435 Monday-Kriyoyo Night BBQ Buffet fea-turing Chef Gibi and Los Princes Mariachi, Golden Reef Inn (2005 Small Inn of the year). Band 7 pm, BBQ at 7:30 pm. Reser-vations $20, walk ins $25. Drinks available for purchase. Call 717-5759 or email [email protected] Tuesday, Thursday, Friday Divi Flamingo, Balashi Beach Bar – Live music by the “Flamingo Rockers” 5-7 pm Tuesday -Harbour Village Tennis, Social Round Robin 7 to 10 pm. $10 per person. Cash bar. All invited. Call Elisabeth Vos at 565-5225 /717-7500, ext. 14. Tuesday – Buy a Bucket of Beer & get free chicken wings, 5 to 7 pm, Cactus Blue Tuesday - BonaireTalker Dinner/Gathering at Gibi's, known for great local food. 6:30pm Call Gibi at 567-0655 for details, or visit www.BonaireTalk.com, and search for "Gibi." Wednesday – Open Mike Night with Moogie, 7 to 9 pm, Cactus Blue Wednesday Divi Flamingo, Balashi Beach Bar – Live music by Flamingo Rockers 5-6:30 pm Wednesday The Windsurf Place at Soro-bon – Live music by Flamingo Rockers 7:30- 9:30pm Tuesday, Thursday, Friday Divi Flamingo, Balashi Beach Bar – Live music by the “Flamingo Rockers” 5-7pm Friday-Swim lessons for children by Enith Brighitha, a Dutch Olympian, at Sorobon from 1330 to 1630 Friday -Manager’s Rum Punch Party, Buddy Dive Resort, 5:30-6:30 pm Friday- 5-7 pm Social Event at JanArt Gallery, Kaya Gloria 7. Meet artist Janice Huckaby and Larry of Larry’s Wild-side Diving. New original paintings of Bonaire and diver stories of the East Coast every week Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday –Yoga Classes—Tel. 786-6416 Daily- The Divi Flamingo Casino is open daily for hot slot machines, roulette and black jack, Mon. to Sat. 8 pm– 4 am; Sun. 7 pm– 3 am. Daily - by appointment -Rooi Lamoenchi Kunuku Park Tours Bonairean kunuku. $12 (NAƒ12 for residents). Tel 717-8489, 540-9800.

FREE SLIDE/VIDEO SHOWS Saturday- Discover Our Diversity Slides pool bar Buddy Dive, 7 pm 717-5080 Sunday - Bonaire Holiday -Multi-media dual-projector production by Albert Bian-culli, 8.30 pm, Capt. Don’s Habitat. Monday- Dee Scarr’s Touch the Sea slide Show at Captain Don’s Habitat, 8:30 pm Call 717-8290 for info. Wednesday (2nd and 4th) Turtle Conserva-tion Slide Show by Bruce Brabec. Carib Inn seaside veranda, 7 pm Wednesday –Buddy Dive Cocktail Video Show by Martin Cecilia pool bar Buddy Dive, 7 pm 717-5080

BONAIRE’S TRADITIONS Kas Kriyo Rincon—Step into Bonaire’s past in this venerable old home that has been restored and fur-nished so it appears the family has just stepped out. Local ladies will tell you the story. Open Monday thru Friday, 9 –12, 2-4. Weekends by appointment. Call 717-2445. Mangasina di Rei, Rincon. Enjoy the view from “The King’s Storehouse.” Learn about Bonaire’s culture . Visit homes from the 17th century. Daily. Call 717-4060 / 790-2018 Bonaire Museum on Kaya J. v.d. Ree, behind the Catholic Church in town. Open weekdays from 8 am-noon, 1:30-5 pm. Tel. 717-8868 Washington-Slagbaai National Park, Mu-seum and Visitors’ Center. Open daily 8

am-5 pm. Closed on some holidays. 717-8444/785-0017 Sunday at Cai- Live music and dancing starts about 12 noon at Lac Cai. Dance to the music of Bonaire’s popular musicians.

CLUBS and MEETINGS

AA meetings - every Wednesday; Phone 717-6105; 560-7267 or 717- 3902. Al-Anon meetings - every Monday evening at 7 pm. Call 790-7272 Weekly BonaireTalker Gathering and Din-ner at Gibi's - Tuesday - 6:30 pm - call 567-0655 for directions. Bridge Club - Wednesdays, 7:30 pm at the Union Building on Kaya Korona, across from the RBTT Bank. All levels invited. NAƒ5 entry fee. Call Cathy 566-4056. Darts Club plays every other Sunday at City Café. Registration at 4, games at 5. Tel. 717-2950, 560-7539. JCI - First Wednesday of the Month- Jun-ior Chamber International Bonaire (JCI Bon-aire, formerly known as Bonaire Jaycees) meets at the ABVO building, Kaminda Jato Baco 36 from 7:30 to 9:30 pm. Everyone is welcome. Contact: Renata Domacassé 516-4252. Kiwanis Club meets at APNA Plaza, Kaya International, every other Tuesday, 7 pm. Tel. 717-5595, Jeannette Rodriguez. Lions Club meets every 2nd and 4th Thurs-day of the month at 8 pm at Kaya Sabana #1. All Lions welcome. Rotary lunch meetings Wednesday, 12 noon-2 pm - Now meeting at 'Pirate House', above Restaurant Zeezicht. All Rotarians welcome. Tel. 717-8434

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Bonaire Arts & Crafts (Fundashon Arte Industrial Bonaireano) 717-5246 or 7117 The Bonaire Swim Club- Contact Valarie Stimpson at 785-3451; [email protected] Cinnamon Art Gallery - Volunteers to help staff gallery. 717-7103. Bonaire National Marine Park - 717-8444. Bonaire Animal Shelter -717-4989. Donkey Sanctuary - 560-7607. Jong Bonaire (Youth Center) - 717-4303. Sister Maria Hoppner Home (Child Care) Tel. 717-4181 fax 717-2844. Special Olympics - Contact Roosje 717-4685, 566-4685

.CHURCH SERVICES New Apostolic Church, Meets at Kaminda Santa Barbara #1, Sundays, 9:30 am. Ser-vices in Dutch. 717-7116. International Bible Church of Bonaire – Kaya Amsterdam 3 (near the traffic circle) Sunday Services at 9 am; Sunday Prayer Meeting at 7:00 pm in English. Tel. 717-8332 Protestant Congregation of Bonaire. Wil-helminaplein. Services in Papiamentu, Dutch and English on Sundays at 10 am. Thurs-day Prayer Meeting and Bible Study at 8 pm. Rev. Jonkman. 717-2006

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Kaya Sabana #26 Sundays 8:30 - 11:30 am. Services in Papiamentu, Spanish and English. Catholic San Bernardus in Kralendijk – Ser-vices on Sunday at 8 am and 7 pm in Papia-mentu 717-8304 . Saturday at 6 pm at Our Lady of Coromoto in Antriol, in English. Mass in Papiamentu on Sunday at 9 am and 6 pm. 717-4211. Assembly of God (Asemblea di Dios), Kaya Triton (Den Cheffi). In English, Dutch & Papiamentu on Sunday at 10 am. Wednes-day Prayer Meeting at 7:30 pm. 717-2194

Send event info to: The Bonaire Reporter

Email [email protected] Tel/Fax. 717-8988, Cel. 786-6518

February & March 2006 Cruise Ship Schedule

Kaya Prinses Marie Behind Exito Bakery

Tel. 717-2400 Tickets - NAƒ14 (incl. Tax)

NEW FILMS BEGIN FRIDAY OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK

THURS THRU SUN 2 MOVIES 7 & 9PM

MON THRU WED. 1 MOVIE 8PM

SATURDAY 4 PM Cheaper By The

Dozen 2

Late Show Call to make sure (Usually 9 pm )

Munich (Eric Bana)

Early Show (Usually 7 pm)

King Kong

MOVIELAND

Feb. 23 – Marathon Jump-Up, BonFM Feb. 24 – Elementary School Parade 8-11 am Feb. 24 – Teens Parade 7 to 11 pm Feb 25 - Carnival--Grand Parade Rincon, 1-6 pm

Feb 26 -

Carnival--Grand Parade Playa (Kralendijk) 1-6 pm Feb 27 - Carnival--Farewell Youth Parade 3-8 pm Feb 28 - Carnival--Farewell Adult Parade 7 - midnight TBA - 5km Run, 8:00 am,

Karnaval 2006 Schedule:

Date Ship PAX Arrive Depart Pier

27 FEB MON ARCADIA 1550 08:00 18:00 SOUTH

28 FEB TUE RIJNDAM 1258 09:00 18:00 SOUTH

07 MAR TUE SEA PRINCESS 1950 12:00 19:00 SOUTH

07 MAR TUE AIDA VITA 1260 13:00 20:00 NORTH

14 MAR TUE RIJNDAM 1258 09:00 18:00 SOUTH

21 MAR TUE AIDA VITA 1260 13:00 20:00 SOUTH

28 MAR TUE RIJNDAM 1258 09:00 18:00 SOUTH


ART GALLERY Cinnamon Art Gallery non-profit gallery for local artists has continuous shows. Each month a new artist is featured. Stop by. Free entry. BANKS Maduro and Curiel’s Bank provides the greatest number of services, branches and ATMs of any Bon-aire bank. They also offer investments and insurance. BEAUTY PARLOR Hair Affair. Expert hair cutting, styling, facials, waxing and professional nail care. BICYCLE / SCOOTER/ QUADS De Freewieler rents scooters and quads; profession-ally repairs almost anything on two wheels. Sells top brand bikes. Have your keys made here. BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION APA Construction are professional General Contractors. They also specialize in creating patios and walkways with fabulous sprayed and stamped concrete pavement. DIVING Carib Inn is the popular 10-room inn with top-notch dive shop and well stocked retail store. Best book trade on Bonaire. Good prices on regulator repair, dive com-puter H.Q. Dive Friends Bonaire (Photo Tours Divers-Yellow Submarine) -low prices - on the seaside at Kral-endijk, at Caribbean Club, Caribbean Court and the Hamlet Oasis. Join their cleanup dives and BBQ. WannaDive - They make diving fun while maintain-ing the highest professional standards. In town at City Café and at Eden Beach. EXTERMINATOR Professional Pest Control is at your service. Get rid of all the pests that invade your home and garden. Experienced and reliable. FITNESS Bonfysio offers comprehensive fitness programs to suit your needs whether they be weight loss, sports or just keeping in shape. Convenient schedule. Fit For Life at the Plaza Resort Mall. Classes in Pilates, Aerobics, TaeBo and more. Professional trainers, fitness machines and classes for all levels. FURNITURE The Plantation Has lots of classy furniture and an-tiques at very competitive prices. Stop in to see great teak furniture and Indonesian crafts.

GARDEN SUPPLIES AND SERVICES Green Label has everything you need to start or main-tain your garden. They can design, install and maintain it and offer plants, irrigation supplies and garden chemicals. GIFTS, SOUVENIRS AND LIQUOR The Bonaire Gift Shop has an wide selection of gifts, souvenirs, liquor, dive watches, digital cameras, things for the home, T-shirts all at low prices. HOTELS The Great Escape Under new management. Quiet and tranquil setting with pool and luxuriant garden in Belnem. Cyber Café, DVD rentals, restaurant and bar. METALWORK AND MACHINE SHOP b c b- Botterop Construction Bonaire N.V., offers outstanding fabrication of all metal products, includ-ing stainless. Complete machine shop too. Nature Exploration Outdoor Bonaire for individually guided kayaking, hiking, biking, caving, rapeling/abseilen and more reservations : 791-6272 or 717-4555 E-mail : [email protected] PHOTO FINISHING Paradise Photo in the Galeries Shopping Center of-fers fast, fine processing for prints, slides, items and services . Now-full digital services. REAL ESTATE / RENTAL AGENTS Harbourtown Real Estate is Bonaire’s oldest real estate agent. They specialize in professional cus-tomer services and top notch properties. Re/Max Paradise Homes: Lots of Choices—International/US connections. 5% of profits donated to local community. List your house with them for sale. Sunbelt Realty offers full real estate, rental, and in-surance services. If you want a home or to invest in Bonaire, stop in and see them. REPAIRS Bon Handyman is here if you need something fixed or built. Ultra reliable, honest and experienced. Elec-trical, plumbing, woodworking, etc. 717-2345 RESORTS & ACTIVITIES Buddy Dive Resort offers diving, Adventure Fun tours including kayaking, mountain biking, cave snor-keling and exploration.

RETAIL Benetton, world famous designer clothes available now in Bonaire at prices less than those in US. For men, women and children. SECURITY Special Security Services will provide that extra measure of protection when you need it. Always reli-able. SHIPPING Rocargo Freight Air and sea shipments in/out of Bonaire. Customs agents. Professional and efficient. FedEx agent. SILKSCREEN, EMBROIDERY CesMar—Local company offers top quality, fast ser-vice for monogramming, silk screening, embroidery. SUPERMARKETS Visit Warehouse Bonaire to shop in a large, spotless supermarket. You’ll find American and European brand products. THE market for provisioning. WATER TAXI Get to Klein Bonaire by Ferry. Ride the Kantika di Amor or Skiffy. Hotel pickup. WINDSURFING The Bonaire Windsurfing Place can fulfill all your windsurfing dreams and more. They offer expert in-struction, superb equipment on a fine beach. Lunch and drinks too. BBQ and windsurf videos Wednesday nights. WINES Antillean Wine Company. You’ve tried the rest; now try the best: best prices, highest quality wines from around the world, kept in a cooled warehouse. Free delivery. YOGA Yoga For You. Join certified instructors Desirée and Don for a workout that will refresh mind and body. Private lessons too.

ATTENTION BUSINESSMEN/WOMEN:

Put your ad in The Bonaire Reporter. Phone/Fax 717-8988, Cel 786-6518

RESTAURANT PRICE RANGE / WHEN OPEN FEATURES

Bella Vista Restaurant Sea Side Restaurant at Buddy Dive Resort

717-5080, ext. 538

Moderate. Breakfast and Lunch Dinner during Theme nights only.

Open every day

Magnificent Theme Nights: Saturday: Beach Grill; Monday: Caribbean Night; Friday: Manager’s Rum Punch Party

and All-You-Can-Eat B.B.Q

Bistro de Paris Kaya Gob. N. Debrot 46

(half-way between hotel row and town) 717-7070

Moderate Lunch and Dinner

Closed Sunday

Real French Cooking in an informal setting Superb dishes prepared with care and love by a French chef

Owner-operated Eat in or Take away

Calabas Restaurant & Chibi Chibi Restaurant and Bar

At the Divi Flamingo Beach Resort. Waterfront 717-8285

Moderate-Expensive Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

Open 7 days

Get a view of the beach and turquoise sea while enjoying a breakfast buffet or à la carte lunch and dinner at the 'Chibi Chibi' restaurant & bar. Inspiring vistas and the highest standard of cuisine.

Croccantino Italian Restaurant Downtown at Kaya Grandi 48 717-5025

Moderate-Expensive Dinner

Closed Monday

Bonaire’s Most Romantic Restaurant where dining is a delight! Tuscan chef prepares exquisite dishes with authentic ingredients. Be served in a gar-

den setting under floating umbrellas or in air-conditioned comfort. Take out too.

The Great Escape EEG Blvd #97—across from Belmar

717-7488

Moderate Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Breakfast every day; Lunch, Dinner Tues-Sun.

Bar-Restaurant poolside —under the thatched roof. Cuban cuisine. New kitchen. New cook

Happy hours 5 to 7 every day.

The Last Bite Bakery Home Delivery or Take Out

717-3293

Low-Moderate Orders taken 8 am-4 pm; Deliveries 6-7:30

pm , Closed Sunday

Enjoy a delicious dessert or savory baked meal in the comfort of your home or resort. This unique bakery offers gourmet class items -always from

scratch- for take out or delivery only.

The Lost Penguin Across from MCB Bank in downtown Kralendijk

Call 717-8003.

Low-Moderate Breakfast, Lunch, Early Dinner until 6 pm

Closed Tuesdays & Wednesdays

Watch the bustle of downtown from this street side Caribbean-style bistro owned and run by a European educated Master Chef

and his wife. Pasa Bon Pizza

On Kaya Gob. Debrot ½ mile north of town center. 780-1111

Low-Moderate Open from 5-11 pm Wednesday-Sunday

Bonaire’s best. The Real Thing! Freshly prepared pizzas made with the finest in-gredients. Salads, desserts. Eat in or take away. Nice bar too.

Call ahead to eat-in or take out 790-1111

Cactus Blue Blvd. J. A. Abraham 16

(half-way between town and Divi Flamingo) 717-4564

Moderate Dinner

Closed Sunday

Trend setting décor and menu Bonaire’s newest hot-spot to eat and drink. Margaritas a specialty

Owner-operated for top service


8

“M y father is Obdulio Rodri-guez from Venezuela, and

my mom is Rosa Statie from Bonaire. My mom ran a little fruit and vegetable shop from the house in Antriol, and my father sailed back and forth to Venezuela with his fruit boat. I was born in 1958.

When I was about three my parents sent me to live with my mother’s brother on Curaçao. It was a common thing to do in those days. My uncle and aunt didn’t have any children and they were well to do. I stayed with them until I was 12; by that time they had children of their own. I’d been to Bonaire now and then, but I didn’t have a strong bond with my sib-lings.

The years I spent in Curaçao were a great influence on my life. I missed the love of my parents, the warmth of a mother, and somehow it created instabil-ity because I didn’t know what was ‘home’ anymore. I also think it’s one of the reasons I’m so proud to be Bonairean; I don’t take it for granted! It’s funny be-cause my brothers and my sister who grew up here are all living in Holland now.

I graduated from high school at 16 and was supposed to leave the island again to study elsewhere, but I didn’t want to go anymore and started working at the Ford garage while I was living with my par-ents in Antriol. My girlfriends and I would go to Antriol’s movie theatre every Sunday. There was always a cow-boy movie with Rex Allen… we didn’t have much choice! After Ford I worked at the ABN bank as a teller. I loved that job because I’m a very social person and I love to chat and meet new people!

At that time there were only a few for-eigners on the island and I knew them all. Now there are so many! I don’t mind, but sometimes it seems like Bonaire is losing its identity. On the other hand – every-body is looking for a better life. Also many Bonaireans left for Holland, even my own family. I couldn’t live there – no way! I am a child of the sun!

When I was 20 I fell in love with Alex

Goeloe, a childhood friend of mine. We married in October ’78, young and unpre-pared. It was good, but it lasted only four years; we were so different. The nice thing is that we’re still very good friends and that’s important too. Together we have a daughter, Roosje, who was born after one year of marriage. I became very possessive… she was only mine! I am very proud of myself because in spite of the fact that I’m so possessive I tried very hard to give her space to grow and

become her own person. She studied and graduated in Holland and now she’s back on Bonaire and married to a wonderful good man. And I am very, very proud of her.

When Alex and I separated I stayed

alone with Roosje and she became one of the first children at Crèche Bon Kuido. I started working for the salt company in 1980. I loved my job and I worked very hard, but the evenings I spent with my daughter. Also we made lots of trips to-gether to my family in Venezuela.”

Poppy Rodriguez is a flamboyant per-son, very sweet, but also straight and strong and at the same time vulnerable and emotional, entertaining and happy. She’s a remarkable woman, because in spite of the tragedy that struck her family she stood strong and still their house is a happy home. “In 1988 I began a relation-ship with the man who was going to be the father of my two other children, Paulo and Angela. Paulo was born September 1989 when Roosje was just 10. It was a big change for all of us. Paulo is 16 now and oh, that guy gives me headaches! He keeps me busy and he makes my hair turn grey, but… he also keeps me young and decides what I should wear when I go out with him… ‘Mom, don’t embarrass me!’ He’s very intelligent, a great tennis player and he loves to dance and the girls are crazy for him! Paulo is also a very good brother to his sister Angela, and he’s a great help when it comes to taking care of her.

My youngest daughter Angela was born in 1994. There have been big intervals between my pregnancies; I’ve always been working and it was a big responsi-bility to become pregnant again. Angela is 11 now. She’s the girl with the braids and the red lips painted on the wall of Cultimara. She was an adorable child, very sweet and always very polite in a natural way. She used to be crazy for grapes and cherries and when she saw

them at the supermar-ket she would ask me, ‘Mom, do you have enough money to buy them today? And if not, can I pick one?’ She was al-ways very conscious of eating healthy things and she loved to talk all day long and sometimes I would think, ‘Dear me, give me a break,’ not knowing that that break was going to be so long and that I would do anything, anything… just to hear her talking again…

In December, 2002, Angie became sick. It was never confirmed what it really was, but most likely it was meningitis. The doctors in Curaçao did everything possible, but after a few days there were complications and they told me she wouldn’t make it. So we looked into the eyes of death. It was a very deep, dark time. I told the doctors I wanted to take her home when she was stable. She spent four months at the hospital and four months at a rehabilitation clinic. I wanted her home desperately. I didn’t want to live without my child, and I couldn’t have my family falling apart. She needed me, they needed me and I was needed at work. From a healthy eight year old An-gie changed into someone who is com-pletely helpless. The only thing she can do is breathe. She’s fed through a tube in her stomach, a peg catheter, because she cannot swallow. The first four months in the rehab clinic I couldn’t tell if she rec-ognized me or not. She was only 27 kilos, just skin and bones. I think she missed home so much that she would have died if I’d left her there.

A month after I took her home she started to change. The first thing she did was laugh and I went crazy! I was jump-ing like a mad woman! Now she weighs 50 kilos and still there’s nothing much she can do, but I take her out whenever possible. She loves to watch TV and twice a week she goes to FKPD (handicapped center) to be with the other children. She’s a happy kid. I’m sure that she’s perfectly okay mentally because when she looks at a picture she laughs, and she gets the funny lines from a joke. She’s getting physiotherapy and speech

therapy from professionals and a lot of attention and love from everyone around her; I dare say that it is the best medicine for everyone! I want to thank my cousin, Tante Prima, who’s taking care of her when I’m at work. I couldn’t do it with-out her. Also Angie’s father, he’s the other pillar. We broke up before she be-came sick, but he and his new wife have proven to be extraordinary caring people when it comes to her. My colleagues from work modified the whole house and my boss has given me great support.

Next to my children my work is the most important thing in my life. I’ve been with the salt company for 25 years now and I consider the people I am working with as my family. I am the receptionist, the payroll clerk, the secretary and the telephone girl! I am very proud of my salt! I was talking to Imre Esser yester-day and I said, ‘What’s with this rain all the time, I can’t make salt like this!’ And he really had to laugh!

I have a very good life together with my children and it’s real; we enjoy every day! I’ve met many wonderful people, professionals and private people, who have supported me in every possible way and I changed. I learned to fight for the rights of my child. I never thought I could be this strong because a little heart-ache used to make me feel as if the world was ending. I still suffer from heartaches now and then, but I am not dying of it anymore! We celebrate life and we’re grateful for every little thing and if you ask me if we have a happy life: Yes! We do!” �

Photo & Story by

Greta Kooistra

“…I’m so proud to be Bonairean; I don’t take it for granted! It’s funny be-cause my brothers and my sister who grew up here are all living in Holland now.”

Poppy with Angela and Paulo


H e calls the archives, “The Memory of Bonaire,” and he’s

the force that keeps it safe - Bòi An-toin, chief editor of the extra, the lead-ing Papiamentu language newspaper.

Do you want to know what it was like in the “old days” in Bonaire? Visit the archives and find out. Read old newspapers, books on Bonaire, reports and studies about nature and the econ-omy in Dutch and English, old comic books with the island as the subject. Listen to taped interviews with old folks; see movies, videos, and photos of nearly every conceivable event on the island since the camera was in-

vented and more… Since the early 80s Antoin has been

building an archival history of Bonaire. Up until now it was kept in the offices of the èxtra newspaper. He’s searched out anything that has to do with the island, what’s been written about it and photographed. But like a living thing the archives have grown and continue to grow and not long ago overflowed the èxtra offices. But now, thanks to the Fundashon Cas Bonaireano (FCB), this massive wealth of information has been moved to a space in FCB’s ad-joining building on Kaya Korona, which is right across the street from the

SGB high school, so it’s easily accessi-ble to the students as well as the rest of the public.

Antoin explains, “People are begin-ning to realize the importance of these archives. It was a hobby with me, but now it’s serious. I want to thank the FCB for this space. Soon another room will be set up for audio. People can study here and make copies nearby.”

You can find books, nearly 1,300 titles, which include Antoin’s books on the history and culture of the island. There are population statistics, reports by companies, radio stations, the gov-ernment - about nearly everything that happened on the island between 1950 to 1990. There are libraries of docu-ments and books about the island from the estates of people who were impor-tant on Bonaire (L.D. Gerharts, Jan Mol for example). There are maps of the island like the ones of the caves of Lima. All of the old èxtra newspapers are there as are The Bonaire Reporters (originally Port Call). (Did you know that journalism started in the Antilles in 1812 with a printer in Curaçao? The first paper was the Curaçao Gazette followed by the Curaçao Courant.)

There are archival boxes of music, company magazines from Isla, BOPEC, AKZO, the sentro di barrios and boxes of thousands of photos seg-regated by topic - cars, boats, acci-dents, celebrations, government, per-sonalities, etc.

In the past volunteers sorted and in-

dexed the information. But the volume of material is growing and more volun-teers are necessary. It can be truly a

librarian’s dream – dealing with au-thentic historical documents, photos, etc. and putting them in order. They need volunteers to transfer the videos and cassettes onto the DVDs. “It’s easy,” Bòi says. “We’ll give training for that.”

“We’re setting up some of the files as

it’s done in Curaçao,” he continues, “in archival boxes according to subject. A lot has been accomplished already. What we need are more boxes! Not just money, but boxes themselves. Maybe we can get some from Support Bonaire (www.SupportBonaire.org).”

There are some fascinating old, and not so old, films and videos in the ar-chives that will be shown in the garden of the Kas di Arte on the waterfront every week starting in April. It’s a real treasure trove. There are promotional films of Bonaire from the 1950s, old Regatta films from 1977, Karnavals through the years, “Duel in the Sea” – a series in Dutch of 13 shows, 37 min-utes long - “Kantika di Maishi” – in English by Joan Kaufman and Elsio Jansen, Kees and Sonia Brusser’s TV series, “The Mysterious Island,” fea-ture films “Shark’s Treasure” and “Wilson’s Reward.” There is no admis-sion charge, but donations will be gratefully accepted.

If you can help with this very valu-

able project give Bòi a call at 786-6818 or stop by the office of extra, on the street near the APNA building, across from BON FM.�L.D.

Bòi Antoin


How to Find the Gemini Twins

and Their Sensational

Siblings

R ight now the constellation

Gemini, the Twins, is at its best for viewing in early evening. While most people have heard of Cas-tor and Pollux, the brightest two stars of Gemini, not many people are aware that these twin brothers have a magnificent assortment of hidden siblings.

During the first two weeks of March, around 8 pm Sky Park time, face due south where a third of the way up from the horizon you'll see the brightest star in the heavens, Sirius, which marks the eye of Orion's bigger dog. And just up to Sirius' right the bright stars which mark Orion himself. But up much higher and to Orion's left you will encounter two more bright stars, which are named for the fa-mous twin brothers in Greek mythology, Castor and Pollux. Pollux, the brighter of the two, is closer to the horizon. If you look closely you’ll see that it has a slightly orangeish tint to it. Castor on the other hand, although a tiny bit dimmer, is a bright white. For over 2,000 years these two stars were considered the patrons of all sailors and seafaring peoples. Plus they have also long been associated with the phenomenon called "St. Elmo's Fire."

But as ancient as these twin stars are, modern science has revealed that there is much more to them hidden from the naked eye. Indeed upon closer examination we find that the brighter twin, Pollux, is a humongous star much bigger than its brother and is in fact almost 11 times the diameter of our own million-mile-wide Sun. Dimmer Castor, however, is not to be outdone by his brother because he hides magnificent secrets. In fact with telescopes and other instruments Castor has revealed himself to be more than just one star.

Indeed, way back during the time of the American Revolution astronomers dis-covered that when they looked at Castor through a telescope it had a companion. Thus Castor became the first true binary star ever discovered. But later as tele-scopes improved and other astronomical instruments were invented astronomers were astonished to find out that both Castor and his hidden brother also each had a companion, which made Castor a quadruple star.

And then, surprise of surprises, several years later two more smaller siblings were found which gave Castor the distinction of being not just a quadruple star but a sextuplet star - three pairs of stars, totaling six stars all together, and all moving about each other in an extremely intricate and magnificent cosmic ballet, with four of the stars being bigger than our own sun. Wow! Whoever said, "appearances are deceiving," wasn't just kidding.

So go outside this week and next around 8 pm, look south and after you've found the brightest star Sirius and above him all the bright stars of Orion the Hunter, above him you'll see the most famous twins in the cosmos which modern science has revealed to be seven sensational siblings. Is this universe weird or what? �

Jack Horkheimer

ARIES (Mar. 21- April 20) You will be overly sensitive this week. Don't prom-ise to deliver the goods if you aren't positive that you can meet the deadline. Ex-pect problems with settlements that you are trying to resolve. Mingle with those who can help you get ahead. Your lucky day this week will be Wednesday.

TAURUS (Apr. 21- May 21) You can make new friends by taking part in social events involving colleagues. Relatives will want to get together. Spend some qual-ity time with the one you love. Your talents will shine at work. Love can be height-ened if you sit down and discuss your future plans. Your lucky day this week will be Thursday.

GEMINI (May 22-June 21) Don't let them blame you. Your ability to be a self starter will help get things done and motivate others. Your self esteem will benefit. Friends will be loyal and caring. You will be ready to jump on anyone who gets in the way of your progress this week. Your lucky day this week will be Tuesday.

CANCER (June 22-July 22) Be sure to use your charm and diplomacy when dealing with potential new clients. Your lack of attention may have been a factor. Don't put all your cash in one place. You can make money through real estate or by using your head when it comes to personal investments. Your lucky day this week will be Thursday.

LEO (July 23-Aug 22) Your main concern will be to spend as little as possible of your own cash in the process. You are best to deal with those outside your fam-ily. Your high energy will enable you to enlist the help of those in a position to back you. You must refrain from overspending on entertainment. Your lucky day this week will be Saturday.

VIRGO (Aug. 23 -Sept. 23) You'll be an emotional basket case this week. Don't take any comments too seriously. Don't let friends convince you that you should contribute to something you don't believe in. You will get upset over trivial mat-ters. Your charm and generosity will bring new friends and romantic opportunities. Your lucky day this week will be Saturday.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 -Oct. 23) Discuss your objectives with partners or peers. Ro-mance will be on your mind, and chances for ideal connections are in the works. A better diet, exercise, or a change to a relaxed atmosphere could be ways to soothe your nerves. You can make reasonable bids on real estate or large items for your home. Your lucky day this week will be Saturday.

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22) Avoid disputes with family; their complaints can't change anything anyway. Try not to push your philosophies on others. Travel will be enjoyable but could be expensive. Your doubt could lead to insecurity. Your lucky day this week will be Monday.

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 -Dec. 21) You need to take a break with the ones you love. You won't be well received by superiors or by your spouse. They will not have the patience to wait for you to complete things that they've asked you to do. You will be quite excitable this week. Your lucky day this week will be Sunday.

CAPRICORN (Dec 22.- Jan. 20) Communications with loved ones may be strained. You need a break from your daily routine. This is a wonderful day to look into courses or hobbies that interest you. Losses are likely if you aren't careful where you leave your valuables. Your lucky day this week will be Thursday.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 -Feb. 19) Sudden changes concerning coworkers may sur-prise you. You need to spend some time getting to know this person all over again. You must follow your desires and dreams. Hold on; your time will come. Your lucky day this week will be Wednesday.

PISCES (Feb. 20-Mar. 20) You must try to help. You can enjoy social events and meet new potential mates; however, avoid being lavish. Back off if you want to keep the relationship intact. Use your better judgment before you sign up for a costly venture. Your lucky day this week will be Wednesday.�

For the week: February 19 to 25, 2006 By Astrologer Michael Thiessen

*to find it, just look up

A space traveler’s view of Castor and companions

The Gemini Constellation

Bonaire Reporter - February 24 to March 3,...

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